WHO ARE THE LEADERS IN CANNABIS?

The cannabis industry is a fast-growing industry, and the names influencing its development is constantly changing. But there are certain names that people should know if they are interested in entering the cannabis industry.

Here is a list to get a better understanding of how the marijuana industry is advancing. To get an idea of how the industry is proceeding and to stay on top, you need to be aware of the following names.

• Steve DeAngelo

Steve DeAngelo is an American cannabis rights activist and is a name that is considered to be an institution of its own in the cannabis industry. His trademark fedora and long braids are something that also makes him standout. He is a globally recognized cannabis leader who is often referred to as “The Father of the Legal Cannabis Industry”. His activism began decades ago in Washington DC, where he organized the annual Yippie Fourth of July Smoke-In. He led the smoke-in protest for almost a decade at a time when marijuana was a stigmatized entity. He has organized grassroots community campaigns, and was seen as a fierce advocate for legalization of marijuana.

In 2006, he created a model medical cannabis dispensary- Harborside Health Center in California. His dispensary was the focus of Weed Wars, which is a reality-documentary series that was telecast on the Discovery Channel.

• Dr. Chanda Macias

Chanda Macias had already made a name for herself in the laboratory, and in the world of business even before she had stepped foot into the cannabis industry. She is the CEO and owner of National Holistic, a cannabis and hemp enterprise. The company produces CBD and other cannabinoid-based products. The company also has a medical marijuana dispensary located in the heart of Washington DC.

Dr. Chanda Macias is also the chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO of Women Grow, which works for woman to influence and succeed in the cannabis industry. She is also a member on the Board of Directors for the Minority Cannabis Business Association and is a member of Americans for Safe Access.

• Gaynell Rogers, Lori Ferrara, and Lindy Snider

Like almost every other industry, even the cannabis industry is a male-dominated one. Gaynell Rogers, Lori Ferrara, and Lily Snider came together to break this myth, and launched Treehouse Global Ventures in 2018. Treehouse Global Ventures is an investment house which focuses on targeting women and minority-founded cannabis businesses. The company also helps companies that were founded by men, but has a strong presence of women at C-suite and board levels.

• David Klein

If you have heard about cannabis business in Canada, then you definitely must have come across the name Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth is the largest Canadian Cannabis company in terms of revenue. Many renowned celebrities have partnered with Canopy Growth to launch their products in the Canadian market. David Klein is serving as the CEO of this company since 2019. He was previously the Chief Financial Officer and also a major stakeholder of Constellation Brands Inc., which is a beverage giant itself in the United States (produces and markets brands like Corona, Modelo Especial, and Negra Modelo). His role in Canopy Growth is a great example of how big business could stand to dominate the cannabis industry in the future, and how a socially stigmatized substance could now be an industry that is marketed and sold like Coca Cola or Corona.